Oil sands are deposits of bitumen, a molasses-like viscous oil that requires heating or dilution with lighter hydrocarbons to enable it to flow. While conventional crude oil flows naturally or is pumped from the ground, oil sands must be mined or recovered in situ - meaning 'in place.' Oil sands recovery processes include extraction and separation systems to remove the bitumen from sand and water. Bitumen requires rigorous treatment to convert it into an upgraded crude oil useful for refineries for the production of gasoline and diesel fuels.

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